Founded in 1890, the NSDAR is one of the largest women’s lineage patriotic organization in the world with members in chapters in the United States and abroad. As a volunteer service organization, we are dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America’s future through better education.
The John Reily Chapter, NSDAR, is made up of women from all over Southwest Ohio, especially Butler, Warren and Hamilton Counties, who are passionate about serving our communities while honoring our heritage. We are an organization for the modern woman.
Our namesake, John Reily, served in the Virginia Militia during the American Revolutionary War. After the war, he moved to Southwest Ohio, where he built and taught in one of the first schools in the territory. Later he held various political positions, including being the first Butler County Clerk of Courts, as well as, postmaster of the City of Hamilton, Butler County Recorder, and Miami University Trustee. He was instrumental in writing Ohio’s first constitution. He was married to Nancy Hunter in 1808 and had three sons and two daughters. His granddaughter is the chapter's organizing regent.
Our chapter is a very established yet vibrant chapter of DAR. We began as a chapter in Hamilton, Ohio, on February 15, 1896, only six years after the National Society was founded. Our members are from all walks of life. Some have chosen to take on careers in education, business, science, and healthcare while others have chosen to make careers in the home. Members include women who are retired to those that are in college. We have a diverse group of women who all have a joint interest in keeping American history alive.
Our meetings are generally held on the monthly from September through June. We meet in historic Hamilton. We typically have a speaker followed by a business meeting and luncheon where our members can become better acquainted. In addition to our regular meetings, we have committees and clubs that meet to help us support the objectives of the National Society while also developing relationships. Prospective members are welcome to attend our meetings to learn more about who we are and what we do.
Our patriotic ancestors include a Quaker who served in the Continental Congress, a relative of Daniel Boone, a soldier who was present at Cornwallis’s surrender, a wagoner to the quartermaster, as well as many who signed the Oath of Allegiance, or provided goods and supplies to the troops.
The heart and soul of the DAR rest in the women who make up our membership. We are women with various backgrounds from all walks of life, yet sharing a common bond of tracing our ancestry back to those who helped gain our nation’s independence. We are committed to honoring our nation’s past by serving our communities today.
To be eligible for membership, a woman must be at least 18 years old and able to trace her ancestry to an American Patriot.